Eco-Friendly Supercapacitor Based on Kepok Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) Skin Active Carbon Composite

Supercapacitors, devices for storing electrical energy through the physical separation of carbon electrodes, have gained significant attention due to their advantages. However, their reliance on non-renewable coal-based activated carbon poses environmental issues. The solution is to use Kepok banana peel as an alternative material to replace activated carbon. Kepok banana composition (15.36% lignin, 40.47% carbohydrates, 59.57% hemicellulose, 18.71% cellulose) suggests its potential as an efficient supercapacitor electrode. The study titled "Eco-Friendly Supercapacitor Based on Kepok Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) Skin Active Carbon Composite" aimed to (1) assess kepok banana waste for activated carbon, (2) analyze the impact of different potassium hydroxide concentrations on activated carbon synthesis in supercapacitors, and (3) determine the optimal potassium hydroxide concentration for ideal supercapacitor characteristics. Using experimental methods, researchers varied potassium hydroxide concentrations (1M, 3M, 5M) with three repetitions. Results indicated that (1) kepok banana peels can indeed be converted into effective activated carbon for supercapacitors through the stages of dehydration, carbonization, and activation with potassium hydroxide, (2) higher potassium hydroxide concentrations improve activated carbon synthesis and characteristics, thus enhancing supercapacitor efficiency, and (3) the most optimal activated carbon and supercapacitor characteristics were observed in 5M sample, demonstrating activated carbon alignment with standards and supercapacitor traits including a maximum voltage of 1.7 volts, the current strength of 33.53 mA, and power of 0.057 Watt. This research highlights the potential of utilizing biomass-derived materials for sustainable energy storage solutions, offering promising avenues for eco-friendly advancements in supercapacitor technology. Furthermore, it contributes to SDGs 7, which aims to provide affordable and clean energy.